Meditation

Meditation and its benefits

When I just started meditation I found it very difficult. I could not sit still for even 5 minutes, my mind was wondering off and I had all kinds of thoughts rushing through my head. Also my body was feeling anxious and waiting for the 5 minutes to be over sooner. But the more I was meditating the easier it became and after a few sessions I started realising that it is becoming pleasant and my thoughts are calming down. Now my mind and body is even asking for it.

Our daily lives are so busy and we always feel that we are running out of time and there is no need or time to devote to ourselves. What we need to understand is that even 15 minutes of time to ourselves(not watching TV shows or going to manicures or pedicures, but actually being sill and relaxing our mind and body and being mindful) our mind and body will benefit greatly from it. We will improve our relationships with ourselves and with others and we will become more productive at work and any other field of interest, as we will learn how to calm our minds and deal with stress.

When we are feeling lonely or anxious, most of us have the habit to look for distractions, which can be eating when we are not even feeling hungry or surfing the Internet, reading, watching TV shows mindlessly. Instead, try to meditate.

Meditation is a means of transforming the mind.  It encourages and develops concentration, emotional positivity and it lets us stop and see the beautiful things around us that we might have never paid attention to.

There are so many different ways of meditation. It is easier to start with a guided meditation, which you can find online or go to meditation classes. With time you will realise that you don’t need anyone to help you with it and you will be able to practice it and enjoy meditation by yourself.

Conscious breathing is a good way to start. Sit down comfortably and take a few mindful breaths. Your breath will naturally become more relaxed and it will help the tension in the body and mind to be released.

With first few breaths silently or in your mind say: I am breathing in and I am breathing out  or just say the key words (IN and OUT) . Then you continue by saying or thinking: I’m taking a deep breath and exhaling slow (DEEP and SLOW).  Continue with: Breathing in, I’m aware of my body and exhaling I calm my body (AWARE and CALM). Next: Breathe in I smile and breathe out I release (SMILE and RELEASE). Finally: Dwell in the present moment, breathe in and enjoy the present moment breath out (PRESENT MOMENT and ENJOY)

If you realise that your mind starts to wonder off try to get it back to your breath. It will wonder off at the beginning, but with time you will realise you can stay focused and relaxed for longer and longer. If you do start meditating, at least 5-10 minutes each day, it will very soon become part of your daily routine and you will feel the benefits of it almost straight away.

Benefits of meditation

• Increase concentration
• Will calm your mind
• Improved communication
• Reduces anxiety attacks
• Lowers high blood pressure
• Reduces tension related pain: headaches, insomnia, joint pains
• Increases serotonin levels
•  Increase of energy
• Better problem solving skills
• Emotional stability increase
• Creativity increase
• Sharpens the mind
• Expands consciousness